More Research Shows Early Specialization in Sports is Bad...Really Bad
We've been recently posting links to articles that are of interest to baseball coaches world wide. A very hot topic, especially in the United States and Canada where travel baseball teams seem to be multiplying, is early specialization.
Our position is that this is extremely bad. Young athletes should be allowed to participate in many different sports, not just baseball. Sadly though, many misguided parents and coaches try to convince 10 year old "superstars" that they need to specialize in baseball and baseball only if they want to grab that pot of gold - the MLB contract - at the end of their high school careers.
Following is a link to a recent article on the "Active for Life" website that substantiates our position. Below that are links to two earlier articles that we've featured on the same subject.
http://activeforlife.com/specializing-early-is-bad-idea/
Other articles you may find interesting:
http://changingthegameproject.com/is-it-wise-to-specialize/
http://changingthegameproject.com/what-about-the-single-sport-athlete-specialization-part-ii/
Our position is that this is extremely bad. Young athletes should be allowed to participate in many different sports, not just baseball. Sadly though, many misguided parents and coaches try to convince 10 year old "superstars" that they need to specialize in baseball and baseball only if they want to grab that pot of gold - the MLB contract - at the end of their high school careers.
Following is a link to a recent article on the "Active for Life" website that substantiates our position. Below that are links to two earlier articles that we've featured on the same subject.
http://activeforlife.com/specializing-early-is-bad-idea/
Other articles you may find interesting:
http://changingthegameproject.com/is-it-wise-to-specialize/
http://changingthegameproject.com/what-about-the-single-sport-athlete-specialization-part-ii/
Overuse Still Number One Cause of Arm Injury; Study Also Finds Low Reward Factor with Travel Baseball
As many studies have shown, overuse is the number one cause for arm injuries in players of all ages. Recently Little League baseball commissioned a study by the University of North Carolina which highlights some of the main reasons for injury. The study also cautions parents about the "lure" of travel baseball and finds that the risks involved from playing so much outnumber the "rewards."
Follow this link to read the entire article: http://www.momsteam.com/overuse-blamed-for-youth-pitching-injuries-but-sliders-and-curveballs-still+risk#ixzz2xehfh7Hv
Follow this link to read the entire article: http://www.momsteam.com/overuse-blamed-for-youth-pitching-injuries-but-sliders-and-curveballs-still+risk#ixzz2xehfh7Hv
Popular ISG clinician Brent Strom moves from the Cardinals to the Astros and is promoted to Major League Pitching Coach for Houston.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/hou/astros-pitching-coach-brent-strom-brings-st-louis-arms-model-to-houston?ymd=20131009&content_id=62746946&vkey=news_hou
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/hou/astros-pitching-coach-brent-strom-brings-st-louis-arms-model-to-houston?ymd=20131009&content_id=62746946&vkey=news_hou
New Content Added to Coaching Tips Section
Once again ISG will be featuring coaching tips from its board members and former speakers at ISG winter clinics. Go to the Coaching Tips page for this month's lesson from former ISG President and University of Wyoming coach, Jim Jones.
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JUST ADDDED - Photos of the 2013 Vancouver Clinic.
JUST ADDDED - Photos of the 2013 Vancouver Clinic.
